Chapter 7.12
PARKING
Sections:
7.12.030 Creating Parking Time Limits on Certain Streets
7.12.040 Limited and No Parking Zones
7.12.060 Payment of Infractions
7.12.070 Contested Infractions
7.12.100 Reserved Disabled Parking
7.12.120 Penalties - Parking Regulation
7.12.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote traffic safety and maintain streets free from hazardous and nuisance conditions by enforcing a uniform parking code. (Ord. 968, Sec. 2, 2016)
7.12.020 Authority.
A Police Officer, Community Services Officer or authorized Fire District Employee may enforce the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 1184, Sec. 2, 2024; Ord. 968, Sec. 2, 2016)
7.12.030 Creating Parking Time Limits on Certain Streets.
The narrowness of and the volume of traffic on the streets in certain sections of the City have the effect of congesting the streets and impeding the movement of traffic. (Ord. 968, Sec. 2, 2016)
7.12.040 Limited and No Parking Zones.
The City Council may, by resolution, or Public Works Director may, pending a resolution, establish limited and no parking zones which shall be appropriately marked and maintained and shall be subject to the restrictions and provisions of this title relating to such zones. (Ord. 968, Sec. 2, 2016)
7.12.050 Parking Infractions.
Parking infractions shall be left or affixed in a conspicuous place on the vehicle and shall state:
(a) The time and date issued;
(b) The location of the violation;
(c) A description and/or identifying number of the vehicle;
(d) A description of the violation;
(e) The issuing officer’s name and badge or personnel number;
(f) A statement about the payment process, how to contest the infraction, and the compliance date; and
(g) The mailing and physical address of the Lake Stevens City Hall. (Ord. 968, Sec. 2, 2016)
7.12.060 Payment of Infractions.
(a) Parking infractions shall be paid at the Lake Stevens City Hall in person, in the drop slot or by mail within 15 days of issuance.
(b) The fine for all parking infractions paid on the City’s next full business day after the citation is given shall be reduced by one-half the fine amount.
(c) For payments made by mail, a postmark shall serve as the date the payment is made. (Ord. 968, Sec. 2, 2016)
7.12.070 Contested Infractions.
(a) A parking infraction may be contested by notifying the Lake Stevens City Hall within 15 days of issuance and requesting a hearing.
(b) Requests must be made in writing and signed by the owner of the vehicle.
(c) The City of Lake Stevens will forward a notice of infraction to the Municipal Court for a hearing. (Ord. 968, Sec. 2, 2016)
7.12.080 Failure to Pay.
(a) The fine for parking infractions that are neither contested nor paid within 15 days of issuance shall be doubled.
(b) Failure to remit the fine within 15 days of receiving a reminder notice from the Municipal Court that the fine is due will result in the inability to renew the vehicle registration without remitting the fine.
(c) The Municipal Court shall submit all unpaid parking infractions to collections 30 days after the date of citation.
(d) For all infractions that are neither contested nor paid within 15 days of issuance, the Municipal Court shall send the vehicle owner a reminder notice stating that payment has not been made and describing the consequences of nonpayment set forth in subsections (a) through (c) of this section. (Ord. 968, Sec. 2, 2016)
7.12.090 Prohibited Parking.
(a) Except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or official control device, it shall be unlawful to:
(1) Stop, stand, or park a vehicle:
(i) On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of any street;
(ii) On a sidewalk or street planting strip;
(iii) Within an intersection;
(iv) On a crosswalk;
(v) Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when stopping, standing, or parking would obstruct traffic or the view of the traffic by other drivers;
(vi) Upon any bridge or other elevated structure upon a roadway;
(vii) On any railroad tracks;
(viii) In a posted fire lane, whether on public or private property;
(ix) In a designated pedestrian walkway;
(x) At any place where official signs prohibit stopping;
(xi) In the travel portion of any roadway; or
(xii) In any location that obstructs the normal movement of traffic.
(2) Stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except to momentarily pick-up or discharge a passenger or passengers:
(i) In front of a public or private driveway or within five feet of the end of the curb radius leading thereof;
(ii) Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant;
(iii) Within 20 feet of a crosswalk;
(iv) Within 30 feet approaching any flashing signal, stop sign, yield sign, or traffic control signal located at the side of a roadway;
(v) Within 20 feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and on the side of a street opposite the entrance to any fire station within 75 feet of said entrance when properly sign posted; or
(vi) At any place where official signs prohibit standing.
(3) Park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except temporarily to load or unload property or passengers:
(i) Within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing; or
(ii) At any place where official signs prohibit parking.
(b) It shall be unlawful to park in an area beyond the posted time limit or at a time the area is posted as being closed to parking.
(c) It shall be unlawful to park on public property or right-of-way without paying the posted parking fee.
(d) It shall be unlawful to reserve or attempt to reserve any portion of the roadway for purpose of stopping, standing or parking to the exclusion of others, without specific permission of the City of Lake Stevens.
(e) Unless otherwise posted or regulated, vehicles stopped or parked on a roadway shall be:
(1) Parked with the wheels parallel to and within 12 inches of the curb, or as close as practical to edge of roadway, and so as not to obstruct traffic; and
(2) Parked in the direction of authorized traffic movement.
(f) It is unlawful to park directly adjacent to and within six feet of a clearly visible residential mailbox between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on any day scheduled for regular mail delivery by the United States Postal Service, excluding Sundays and state and federal holidays when there is no regular mail delivery service. (Ord. 1050, Sec. 1, 2019; Ord. 968, Sec. 2, 2016; Ord. 836, Sec. 1, 2010)
7.12.100 Reserved Disabled Parking.
(a) A parking space or stall for a disabled person shall be indicated by a vertical sign, between 36 and 84 inches off the ground, with the international symbol of access, whose colors are white on a blue background as described under RCW 70.92.120 and the notice “State disabled parking permit required.”
(b) The person, partnership, firm or corporation owning or controlling the property where required parking spaces are located shall ensure the parking spaces are properly marked, not blocked or made inaccessible.
(c) It is unlawful to park in a space or area reserved and properly marked for disabled parking without state-recognized identifiers on or in the vehicle.
(d) Violation of this provision shall result in the issuance of a notice of infraction and/or the vehicle may be towed by the property owner. (Ord. 968, Sec. 2, 2016)
7.12.110 Impounding Vehicles.
The City may tow any vehicle that violates this chapter in a manner that obstructs the travel portion of any roadway, sidewalk, or walkway. Vehicle impounds are authorized and enforced through Chapter 7.40, Vehicle Impoundment. (Ord. 968, Sec. 2, 2016)
7.12.120 Penalties - Parking Regulation.
Unless otherwise stated in this chapter, violations of parking regulations shall result in a parking infraction. Fines for violations shall be set by resolution adopted by the City Council. (Ord. 968, Sec. 2, 2016)
7.12.130 Violation and Penalty.
Repealed by Ord. 968. (Ord. 623, Sec. 2, 2001)